News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1887-12-29
FROM WASHINGTON.
From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, D. c.,
Dec. 20, 1897.

Dec. 20, 1887.
One of the features of Washington
lately developed, is the rapidly in
creasing number of clubs, social, po-
litical and otherwise, not excluding
certain Congressional clubs in
which pasteboard and ivory are used
10 combination to subserve the pleas
ure of the members. There are the
old substantial clubs like the Metro
poli.an and the Cosmos, and there are
cunning clubs, boat clubs, yacht clubs
and pslicemen's clubs-all on the in
crease in number except the latter,
and it is to be hoped Congress will
this session do the requisite thing in
that regard. Among those recently
organized is the National League, a
swell affair, with a palatial clubhouse
facing Thomas Circle, on Fourteenth
St. Its membership is composed of
Republicans only, and the design
thereof is to promote the interests of
the Republican party, as that of the
Jefferson Club is, by the same token,
to do its level best for the Democra-
cy. There is also the Irish-American
Club, organized for social as well as
transatlantic political objects. And
now comes a proposition, backed by
a number of prominent officials and
citizens, ex-soldiers of both armies in
the late war, to establish a Union
Club, the qualification for membership
in which shall be an honorable dis
charge from the United States army,
or an honorable parole as an Exon
federate. There are no people in the
country who enjoy themselves and
each other better than the two classes
of American citizens mentioned, when
they meet on terms of social equality,
and it is thought that in such an asso-
citation, permanent and resident, or
visiting members and invited guests,
would, in the intercourse of its aus
pices, find mutual benefit.
The opportunity of office-seekers is
well illustrated by aittle incident
which occurred to a new member from
Georgia this session. He was aroused
at day-break the morning after his ar
rival, which was also the opening day
of the session, by bell-boy at the
hotel where he was stopping, who said
gentleman wished to see him. ''What
time, in Heavens name, do people
begin to call in Washington ?" asked
the Congressman. "Most any time,
sir" grinned the messenger. Having
been told to show him up, the member
was in a few minutes confronted by
determined looking individual, per-
feet stranger to him, who in an excit-
ed manner urged him to get up and
come with him, as he had a cab in
waiting at the door, and he could get
an Office. Not to be Outdone by this
GOODNESS, and somewhat enjoy ing the
scene, the new member with show of
alacrity begged him to have the cab
brought up on the elevator while he
was putting on his clothes. He man
aged at last to get rid Of the early
visitor, but was captured again at the
Capitol, at the opening of the session
the same day, by the office-seeker,
who said that the place was still open
If he would just come with him and
get it. By this time the Congress
mans patience had become exhausted
and he sternly informed his new
friend that if there were any places to
be had he would certainly secure
them for his own constituents, TO
whom he had made promises. "For